A little about tanking…
Since this is the first full group flashpoint it is important to note a few things about game mechanics. Particularly, in this game tanking will feel different than in most MMORPGs. Bioware did a good job of making trash pulls feel more dynamic. What this means is that the tank does not hold everything. The tank should be focused on hold any strongs or above. All of the standard enemies will die in a few quick hits and are insignificant. Even a strong can be tanked by a dps without the group worrying over aggro.
EXPANSION EXCAVATION
When you first arrive in hammer station the group will be in the Expansion excavation section. Be wary of the big droids as they can pack a punch and many patrol the various corridors and rooms in the flashpoint.
The most difficult pull in the flashpoint will be this one. Try to clear out the smaller enemies first before focusing on the two elite droids. It definitely helps to crowd control at least one of the droids here.
Once the fight is over you can clear the rest of the room to receive a buff inside this side room if you have an archeologist in the party.
Continue moving forward. The next room will have an explosive barrel.
These are very useful in clearing out weaker enemies or damaging larger ones. There are many other environment effects that you will find throughout your time in The Old Republic. If you have a scavenger in the party you can start this generator in order to take a shortcut.
It will lead directly to the first boss without having to go through about four trash pulls.
DN-314 Tunneler
The Tunneler has a very simple mechanic. He will shoot an orange beam at a random person. The beam does considerable damage and cannot be interrupted. To minimize the amount of damage taken you swap the beam to the tank. This is done simply by placing the tank in between you and the Tunneler. Additionally the Tunneler will call out some weak droids that will self-destruct on the party. They do very little damage and can be ignored.
SECURITY WING
First pull in this section can be tricky if not aware.
Once you pull the two smaller ones, more will come from the ramps on both sides (left first, then right). Continue along until you reach some stairs to climb. At the top is a tricky pull with adds coming from the door to the left.
Two elite droids will patrol the bridge to the right and will eventually end up in the fight.
There are some barrels to crowd control the droids and bide some time. Once killed, continue on until the next boss.
Vorgan the Volcano
Vorgan the Volcano is basically a tank style boss. He will guard one of his two companions from time to time reducing the damage they take. Torch is basically a bounty hunter style enemy with flamethrower and grappling hook skills. Sawbones is like a scoundrel healer (hence the name). The tank should focus on holding Vorgan. Dps should focus on killing the companions. You can either focus on Sawbones first, or swap between them as they are shielded. The fight becomes exponentially easier once one companion is dead.
SECTION ZERO
The pulls aren’t so bad from here on out. Be mindful of the bridge.
If it turns red, move off of it quick or you will die.
You can reach the other side and not aggro anything if you don’t move too far. A few more pulls and the final boss.
Battlelord Kreshan
This guy can be nasty without knowing the fight. He basically does three attacks, a frontal AOE cone attack targeted on whoever has aggro, a 360 degree knockback and he throws proximity grenades that will stay on the ground. Every so often two adds will come from one side or the other even if previous adds have not been killed. Kreshan plants his feet when he performs his frontal attack so just move out of the way. Stay away from the ledges when fighting him or you will go over when he does the knockback. Other than that, just avoid the grenades and kill adds when they show up to prevent being overrun. A couple of tries should be all it takes to finish this flashpoint.
Don’t forget to loot his body for a Taris commendation.